ISLANTILLA
by Saskia Mier
Islantilla is the small neighbouring resort to La Antilla with a wide, sandy beach and some excellent seafood restaurants. It has about 1200 inhabitants.
HISTORY
Initially these lands were flooded by rain and high tides during storms, the farms were unproductive and were often abandoned.
In the early 1990s, Lepe and Isla Cristina put up the Commonwealth of Islantilla with the aim of attracting a different tourism of higher quality to bring in more economy.
In 1992 the first hotel facility is completed, the golf club with 27 holes opened, and the first apartments are built followed by a shopping mall. In the next decade, new 4 star hotels, single-family housing developments and apartments, expansion of golf facilities and a new shopping centre were added. In 2006, a large housing development called Stork, intended for mainly Dutch citizens opened to the public and a third mall.
BEACHES
Islantilla's only attraction is its enormous stretch of beach. It shares the same one as La Antilla which is a 20km long sandy beach that extends from Río Piedras in the east to Isla Cristina in the west. More>
At its eastern end, it turns into the protected area of Barra de El Rompido (El Rompido spit), across the estuary from the fishing village of El Rompido. At this end, within the Paraje Natural Marismas del Río Piedras y la Flecha de El Rompido, is Nueva Umbría, an area of virgin beach that is reserved for nudists.
Islantilla is a great location for windsurfing, among many other watersports.
GOLF
Islantilla offers one of the best golf clubs in Andalusia with a 27 hole course and 3 different routes with great views of the sea.
Club de Golf de Islantilla
Paseo Barranco del Moro, s/n
Tel: 959 48 6039
WHERE TO STAY
As with all resorts along this coast, it is worth booking accommodation well in advance in the summer months, but outside of this time there are few tourists and it is very tranquil.
There are a couple of camping sites west of Islantilla.
Camping Luz
Urbanización Urbasur, Carretera Isla Cristina-La Antilla, Km 5
Tel: 959 34 11 42
Camping Playa Taray
Carretera La Antilla-Isla Cristina, Km 4, No.1
Tel: 959 34 11 02
GASTRONOMY
As one of the popular destinations for vacationers and tourists, the supply of fresh good quality fish and seafood is endless, specifically from the beach bars that offer popular grilled sardines. Other highlights include rayaenpimentón (skate in paprika), guisosmarineros de rape (monkfish stews), corvina(sea bass), pezespada (swordfish), adobos de pescado (marinated fish), chocosfritos (fried cuttlefish), fideos con caballa (noodles and mackrel) and of course, the seafood.
LOCATION
Islantilla is located 46km from Huelva. To get there, take the A-497 leaving Huelva and Exit 5 onto the A-5077. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A-492 and take the 3rd exit and the roundabout. Join onto the A-49 and take Exit 117 onto the HU-4400. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the N-445, take 3rd exit at the next roundabout onto the HU-5076 and the 5th exit at the next roundabout. Continue on, taking 2nd exit at the next roundabout and 1st exit at the following roundabout onto the A-5056 over the Arroyo del Fraile followed by the 1st exit onto the A-5054. Take the 3rd exit at the next two roundabouts and you will reach Islantilla.
